Allergy UK at the BSACI Conference 2024: Championing Allergy Care and Advocacy

The 2024 British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) Annual Conference took place in Harrogate, with the theme *”The Power of Data, the Power of People.”* The event, which attracted nearly 800 attendees, brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and specialists from across the allergy field. Over three days, delegates had the opportunity to engage with workshops and presentations from world-renowned experts, including speakers from the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Clinical Immunology Professional Network (BSI – CIPN). These sessions explored the latest research and innovations in allergy care, with a focus on how data-driven insights and patient perspectives are shaping the future of the field.

Allergy UK’s presence at the BSACI conference highlighted the charity’s commitment to supporting people living with allergies through advocacy, education, and practical solutions. As an organisation that focuses on improving the lives of allergy sufferers, Allergy UK recognised the conference as an important platform to showcase its work, share insights, and engage with healthcare professionals and fellow stakeholders.

The charity’s participation included a dedicated stand, a talk on Pollen Food Syndrome, and the successful acceptance of an abstract leading to a poster presentation demonstrating how Allergy UK uses data to inform its services and supportive resources offerings as well as the getting involved with a very early morning, foggy 5k run!

A key highlight for Allergy UK at this year’s conference was the presentation on Pollen Food Syndrome, delivered jointly by Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services for Allergy UK and in-house dietitian, Annette Weaver. This increasingly common condition occurs when individuals with birch pollen allergies experience allergic reactions to certain fruits and vegetables. The condition is on the rise, and as the prevalence of pollen allergies increases, so too does the impact of PFS on people’s daily lives.

One of the key factors behind this surge in PFS cases is the growing number of birch trees being planted across urban areas to help combat climate change. A study from the University of Lancaster found that birch trees are particularly effective at improving air quality in cities, leading local authorities to plant them as part of sustainability efforts. However, birch pollen is highly allergenic, and as birch trees proliferate, so does the concentration of birch pollen in the air, exacerbating hay fever symptoms and triggering PFS in susceptible individuals.

Amena’s talk highlighted the importance of considering the allergic community when making environmental decisions. While planting birch trees is beneficial for improving urban air quality, the increase in birch pollen is proving to be a disadvantage for allergy sufferers. The talk called for the consideration of alternative tree species that can offer similar air-purifying benefits without the heightened allergic risks. Additionally, the rise of plant-based diets, which can trigger PFS reactions, further complicates this issue, making it a critical area for public awareness and action.  This issue of Allergy Focus also includes an article from Annette Weaver on Pollen Food Syndrome to assist healthcare professionals with the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Another key moment in Allergy UK’s participation was the presentation of a poster on how the charity uses data to enhance the services it provides to people living with allergies. CEO Simone Miles presented the poster, which was developed by clinical team members Amena Warner and Holly Shaw. The poster showcased how Allergy UK leverages data insights from its Helpline and dietitian services to shape its marketing and communication strategies and to expand the range of support available to allergy sufferers.

The insights gathered through these services have allowed Allergy UK to address unmet clinical and informational needs by developing patient resources and introducing new services, such as the Allergy UK eczema clinic. One notable shift highlighted in the poster was the significant increase in calls from adults seeking help with allergies. This rising demand points to a growing trend of adult-onset allergies, suggesting that current adult allergy services may not be equipped to meet the increasing need for care and support.

The data-driven insights shared during the conference sparked engaging discussions among the audience, with many healthcare professionals expressing interest in the trends identified by Allergy UK. The charity’s use of data to inform its outreach and services not only supports its mission to improve the lives of allergy sufferers but also helps to ensure that the organisation can adapt to the evolving needs of the allergy community.

The team also attended numerous informative and engaging talks and workshops covering a host of topics from treatments, trends and research findings. Look out for future articles in Allergy Focus which will share the insights from the talks and workshops attended by the clinical team at the conference.  They will also help to inform the UK National Allergy Strategy for 2025-2035 that is currently being developed.

By sharing knowledge, discussing emerging challenges, and presenting innovative solutions, Allergy UK continues to be a leading voice in the allergy community, ensuring that the experiences and needs of patients remain central to ongoing developments in allergy care. It was excellent opportunity for Allergy UK to strengthen its partnerships with healthcare professionals and researchers, all while advancing its mission to improve the lives of those living with allergies.

For anyone wanting to attend the BSACI Conference next year it is to be held on 16^th – 18^th October 2024 at the ICC in Wales.